AHOSKIE – It was a wet, blustery day in Ahoskie, but a scheduled ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday for Lakeview Terrace Apartments, a recently constructed safe, affordable housing community for lower income individuals with disabilities.

The distinguished guests all had a hand in cutting the ribbon, which was the first thing on the agenda so they could get out of the rain for the dedication ceremony.

They then went to the Ahoskie Housing Authority’s auditorium where Tyrone Lindsey, executive director of Ahoskie Housing Authority, said, “Longview Terrace provides affordable housing that fits seamlessly into the surrounding community.

“We believe Longview Terrace is a community asset that residents and neighbors will cherish for years to come,” he added.

The $1.47 million development was financed in large part by a $967,291 no-interest construction loan from the North Carolina Housing Trust Fund and the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation.

Additional investors include the Town of Ahoskie through Community Development Block Grants, and the Community Investment Corporation of the Carolinas (CICCAR).

The E.D. Parker Corporation of Benson was the general contractor for the development.

The Longview Terrace Apartments are handicap accessible, single bedroom/bathroom units with a kitchen, living room and porch. Transportation for shopping and other services is provided for residents by the Ahoskie Housing Authority and partnering agencies.

Longview Terrace features two buildings with 12 one-bedroom apartments. Six have preference for persons with disabilities, and all 12 are fully handicap-accessible.

Following the ribbon-cutting, participants toured an occupied apartment, with the resident’s permission. It was very orderly, spacious, and easy for a handicapped person to move around.

At the dedication ceremony, Longview resident Debbie Leary tearfully recounted how much she loved living there.

“Glory be to God,” she said.

She recounted how neighbors help one another in the neighborhood, how convenient it is for her to go to the store on foot, and how thankful she is that her landlord always keeps everything in tip-top shape and keeps her comfortable.

Residents pay according to their means. Sallie Surface of Choanoke Area Development Association said CADA is able to help residents with rental assistance so they never pay more than 30 percent of their income for rent and utilities.

Surface also serves on the state’s Housing Trust Fund and said their primary focus is to provide affordable housing for areas in need.

“Make sure your elected officials know about the Housing Trust Fund,” she said. “This is state money, not federal money. That board is very concerned that the state money is used wisely to provide housing in places of great need.”

Linda Blackburn, Ahoskie’s mayor (pro tem), congratulated the Ahoskie Housing Authority for bringing so many partners together and making the project such a success.

“Safe, affordable, good housing is needed,” she said. “These apartments are wonderful looking.”